Korean Dictionary
How to say "Pound" in Korean
“Pound” in Korean is 두드리다 (pronounced "dudeulida").
두드리다
dudeulida
Usage & Context
Using a mallet to flatten or break food. Used for tenderizing meat and breaking shells. Creates uniform thickness for even cooking.
Example Sentence
고기를 두드려요.
I pound meat.
How to use 두드리다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Pound” is 두드리다, romanized as dudeulida.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 두드리다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '두' (du) like 'doo' in 'door', '드' (deu) like 'duh' in 'duh-uh', '리' (ri) like 'ree' in 'tree', and '다' (da) like 'dah' in 'dah-ling'. The stress is relatively even across the syllables.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
두드려요
dudeuryeoyo
This is the common polite form used in everyday conversation.
Casual (반말)
두드려
dudeuryeo
This is the informal form used among close friends or family.
More Example Sentences
Asking someone not to make noise at a door.
문 두드리지 마세요.
Please don't knock on the door.
Showing support or encouragement to a friend.
친구의 어깨를 두드려 격려했어요.
I patted my friend's shoulder to encourage them.
Participating in a lively cultural performance or celebration.
북을 두드리며 신나게 춤을 췄어요.
I beat the drum and danced excitedly.
Cultural Context
While '두드리다' is used for pounding food, its meaning extends broadly to 'knocking' (문을 두드리다), 'patting' (어깨를 두드리다), or 'beating' a drum (북을 두드리다). It implies a repetitive, rhythmic action. In K-dramas, you'll often hear characters say '문 좀 두드려!' (Knock on the door!) before entering.
Editorial note
We review entries like 두드리다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
문을 두드리다
to knock on the door
어깨를 두드리다
to pat someone's shoulder
가슴을 두드리다
to beat one's chest (in frustration or pride)
Related Expressions
치다
chida
to hit, strike (broader sense)
때리다
ttaerida
to hit, beat (often more aggressive)
찧다
jjitda
to pound (grains, in a mortar)
두들겨 패다
dudeulgyeo paeda
to beat up (violent)
More Cooking Words
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